2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Tennessee
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public relations education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations students.
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2026 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations Schools
The University Of Tennessee earned the #1 spot for value among public relations schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $21,368 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $42,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $39,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the public relations program here. Public Relations graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes Lee University one of the best values for public relations. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Lee University earn a median of $33,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Public Relations graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University came in at #6 for value in public relations this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
